Victory gets its marquee man

Chilean international Pablo Contreras has today been confirmed as Melbourne Victory's international marquee, after agreeing to sign with the club for the 2013/14 Hyundai A-League season.

Chilean international Pablo Contreras has today been confirmed as Melbourne Victory's international marquee, after agreeing to sign with the club for the 2013/14 Hyundai A-League season.

The uncompromising defender has played at the highest levels throughout his career, including the UEFA Champions and Europa Leagues, as well as with the Chilean national side at the FIFA World Cup.

The 35-year-old has made 67 appearances for his country and Melbourne Victory Coach Ange Postecoglou said Contreras would be an extremely valuable addition to his squad.

"We are thrilled to welcome Pablo to Melbourne Victory and there-s great excitement around what he can bring to the club," Postecoglou said.

"Pablo is a high quality central defender who will be an important part of our journey towards an A-League Championship, and, hopefully, our upcoming Asian Champions League campaign."

Australia has been somewhat of a happy hunting ground for Contreras, taking home a bronze medal with the Chilean football team from the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Contreras follows on from former Victory stars Rody Vargas and Marco Rojas as the latest pin-up for Australia's Chilean community. About 25,000 people currently living in Australia were born in Chile, according to the latest Census data, with more than 7,000 of those in Victoria.

Contreras will arrive in Melbourne on Monday night and is expected to begin training with his Melbourne Victory teammates on Tuesday. He will then head to Tasmania with the rest of the squad for the club's pre-season camp and friendly against Western Sydney Wanderers on Sunday, September 29.